I, Anonymous

To the Lady on the Number 1 Bus

I wanted to turn to you and tell you how much I admire you this afternoon. I don't know you from Eve, but you are currently my hero. For blocks and blocks, you calmly rejected and shut down that (self-described) drunk homeless man who did nothing but try to break into your sober, recovering, formerly homeless life. "We're friends!" he said multiple times. Your calm replies: "I am not your friend," "I don't bring anybody home with me," "I'm happy living alone, happy being sober."

You handled what could have been a confrontation, the kind of conversation that often ends in confrontation, with so much poise and integrity that those of us around you knew we didn't need to come to your rescue. You handled it with more ability than we could have mustered. That guy got off at the next stop.

I hope that when you got home, you had someone to talk to, to debrief the conversation with. I hope your sponsor was available, or someone else to tell you how amazing and strong you are. Bless your heart. We all wish you well in your continued recovery.